Crime on the rise in Jakarta

From Jayakarta

The crime rate in the capital is definitely rising at an alarming rate according to newspaper reports. Hardly a day passes without the public being fed one crime story or another. We read about the merciless butchering of a whole family, and student brawls sparked off by drinking sessions or drug abuse.

Such reports are, to say the least, frightening. The more so because in many cases juveniles are involved. We cannot but help worry how alcohol and drug abuse will fatally undermine the thinking processes of today's youth.

In 1994 and early this year the military launched a campaign against criminals and curbed the use of switchblades.

The crime rate plunged immediately. In other words, the campaign was quite successful. However, afterward the old problem returned in an apparently fiercer form. For instance, in South Jakarta two students were slain with a samurai sword in a brawl, in Ciracas burglars used fire arms and knives to break into a house.

Nonetheless, the incidents have been brought to our attention. But how did the culprits get hold of a pistol? Could they have been backed up by a certain party?

I believe that criminal cases deserve the special attention of the authorities. Crime is always in our midst, even if it takes other forms.

We think that another campaign against crime should be carried out so that the public's sense of security will be restored once more.

The police department and the Jakarta Agency for the Coordination of Support for the Development of National Stability deserve some credit. We know that, due to their alertness, hundreds of criminals have been caught and sent to a rehabilitation center for guidance and vocational training.

TEGUH S.

Bogor, West Java